Billy wanted me to stay a safe distance from the most important person in my life. It turned out that his concern was, in the end, unnecessary. I was all too safe now.

“The bottom line is that you have to choose who you are going to commit to-- tha…”

“It sounded like you were having Bella for lunch, and we came to see if you woul…”

“Happy birthday," he sighed, and leaned down to touch his lips to mine.I reached…”

“I stared into her eyes, wide under the thick fringe of lashes, and yearned for …”